As the Sun Shines, PAC Thrives

As I hear from more and more private practice physicians across the state, one theme keeps coming up, whether we’re talking about billing, hiring, or credentialing delays: independent physicians place great value on their time and autonomy, and will seize any opportunity to grow it.  

PAC’s recent activity reflects that priority across the board.

We’re thrilled to announce a webinar in September with one of the country’s top practice consultants, Debra Phairas, who helps practices cut overhead and stay financially independent. Read more below. 

Also this month, we’re spotlighting Dr. Steven Abelowitz, an Orange County pediatrician who walked away from a private equity-backed group to build a practice where doctors—not investors—make the decisions and always put patients first. 

And finally, check out our legislative update on our priority bills, including our sponsored bill to fix credentialing delays. 

As momentum builds across advocacy, education, and practice innovation, we’re proud to stand beside California’s independent physicians—now and always.

Matthew Robinson
CEO, Physician Association of California

Save The Date: PAC Webinar: Cut Overhead Without Cutting Corners

Wednesday, September 24 | 12:15–1:00 PM PT

Presented by Debra Phairas, President, Practice & Liability Consultants, LLC

We’ve invited Debra Phairas, a nationally recognized expert in practice management and overhead control, to lead a 45-minute PAC webinar on practical cost-saving strategies.

With over 2,300 practices advised nationwide, Debra brings unparalleled expertise in overhead reduction, revenue enhancement, practice valuation, and financial strategy. She has decades of experience in medical clinic administration, malpractice prevention, and consulting for practices of all sizes and specialties.

This session will deliver real-world, actionable strategies for trimming overhead while protecting the quality of care. Whether you’re launching a new practice, expanding operations, or simply wish to control rising costs, this webinar will help you navigate today’s economic challenges with confidence.

Don’t miss this opportunity from one of the country’s leading practice management consultants. Hold 9/24 from 12:15pm-1:00 pm on your calendar. We will send Zoom information soon! 

July Member Spotlight: Dr. Steven Abelowitz, Founder of Ocean Pediatrics

Crusading for Patient-Centered Care 

Click the image below to watch clips of a compelling conversation with Dr. Steven Abelowitz, a pediatrician with nearly 30 years of experience and founder of Ocean Pediatrics, one of Orange County’s most successful pediatric groups. 

Q: Dr. Steven Abelowitz, what drew you to pediatrics?
I’ve always loved kids. During medical school, I thought I might go into OB/GYN or cardiology, but I kept gravitating back to pediatrics. What sealed it for me was the connection. We see kids from the moment they’re born through early adulthood. There’s a continuity and trust we build with families that is incredibly meaningful.

Q: What are some unique challenges in pediatrics that people may not realize?
You’re not just treating the child. You’re also supporting the parent. A big part of the job is helping families feel comfortable and confident. And examining kids isn’t always straightforward. For example, a toddler with stranger anxiety isn’t going to lie still. Over time, you learn the art of the exam, how to distract, redirect, and gently guide both child and parent through the visit.

Q: How has your career evolved, and what led you to form Ocean Pediatrics?
I started a private practice almost 28 years ago and grew it into a thriving group. During the pandemic, like many others, I partnered with a hedge fund to stabilize financially. Unfortunately, they prioritized profits over patients. They cut support staff, interfered in medical decisions, and even misused vaccines. I couldn’t stand by while care declined, so I walked away and founded Ocean Pediatrics. 

Q: What’s different about Ocean Pediatrics?
We’ve built something special. Every clinician has the opportunity to be a partner. We are fully independent and committed to patients before profits. Our team feels reenergized. Morale is high, and the patient response has been overwhelmingly positive. We now have three clinics, and our growth is largely driven by word of mouth. 

Q: Why do you believe private practices are outperforming larger systems?
We put clinical decisions back where they belong—with the doctors. We hire qualified staff, use equipment that is actually appropriate for children, and focus on personalized care. When profit is the only goal, that gets lost. And in healthcare, that’s dangerous.

It’s also our model. Studies show that independent physician practices have better clinical outcomes and lower costs compared to private equity and hospital system-owned groups. 

Q: You’ve been a strong advocate for independent physicians. What role do you see for groups like the Physician Association of California (PAC)?
PAC plays a vital role. The system is stacked against independents. We don’t have the leverage of big hospitals or hedge funds. PAC helps us fight for fair policies, build coalitions, and stay in business so we can continue offering high-quality, relationship-based care. I believe in this model, and I believe it’s still possible to thrive.

Legislative Update: Summer Progress on Key Bills

PAC’s sponsored legislation, AB 1041 (Bennett), to streamline the credentialing process recently passed out of the Senate Health Committee and now heads to Senate Appropriations. PAC’s legislative advocacy team continues to remove any remaining opposition while upholding the intent of the bill.

On June 27, Governor Newsom and legislative leaders finalized a budget agreement to address California’s $12 billion shortfall, though fiscal challenges remain, and the plan does not account for potential federal policy changes that could impact Medi-Cal and other state-run programs. The next key deadline is July 18, when all remaining bills must clear policy committees in their opposite house before the Legislature recesses for summer. The legislators will return to Sacramento on August 18. 

PAC is actively tracking the following bills:

SUPPORT

• AB 408 (Berman): Establishes a health and wellness program to support physicians while ensuring patient safety.

• AB 512 (Harabedian): Reduces timelines for insurers to respond to prior or concurrent authorization requests.

• AB 539 (Schiavo): Extends the duration of prior authorization approvals to one year or for the duration of treatment, whichever is shorter.

• AB 1041 (Bennett): Streamlines the provider credentialing process with a mandated uniform application and sets timelines for the approval process.

• SB 306 (Becker): Eliminates prior authorization for services that are approved more than 90% of the time.

WATCH

• AB 1415 (Bonta): Expands the oversight authority of the Office of Health Care Affordability to include private equity firms, hedge funds, and management service organizations.

• SB 351 (Cabaldon): Restricts private equity and hedge funds from interfering in clinical decision-making and prohibits contracts that limit physician advocacy.

OPPOSE

• SB 29 (Laird): Extends the period for survivors to seek damages in medical harm cases through 2030.

Please email us if you want additional information or have any questions at info@pac-md.org. 

PAC's previous newsletter can be found here.

The Physician Association of California (PAC) represents the voice of California’s small group practice and independent physicians.